An everyday history of Upstate South Carolina from 1961 - 1965 Anderson Is Looking To Year Of Progress
Residents of the Anderson area today may look back on 1960 as one of its best years, and at the same time look forword to 1961 - confident of continued development and progress. On every hand there are signs pointing to new growth and new strides. The new year reached the Anderson area on a note of optimism. Businessmen generally forsee a good year of brisk trading. Any slack periods will be offset by extra activity in business at other times, they say.
The city government anticipates with eagerness the time when all annexation litigation has ended and its broad program begun to provide full city services. Fire sub stations are to be built over the city, police force enlarged hundreds of street lights furnished in annexed areas, more sewer lines laid, fire hydrants installed.
Annexation increased the size of the city from four to 22 square miles, population from 20,000 to over 43,000. The year will see completion of three major construction programs costing an aggregate of $10-million. Largest is the $5,500,000 addition to the Anderson Hospital. New Hanna High School will be put into use in September.
The $3,000,000 Clark - Schwebel Fiber Glass plant is soon to be completed and put into operation, employing 300 in the outset.
The Anderson Independent, "Anderson Is Looking To Year Of Progress," Vol. 44 No. 93, January 1, 1961.
Boy's Dormitory Next For Anderson College
A boy's Dormitory to be built at a cost of not more than $250,000 is foremost on the 1961 ladder of progress at Anderson College - an institution which saw completion of a $340,000 student center and a $30,000 infirmary in 1960.
APPROVAL from the State Baptist Convention came late in 1960 for the college to borrow up to $250,000 for the needed boy's housing facility. It will be located on the back campus, in the bend of Kingsley Road, behind a small house now used for boarding facilities for several boys.
The new year will also see an active drive by the Living Endowment of Anderson College - LEAC - in which funds will be raised between Jan. 1 and Feb. 10 for the betterment of the college. Dr. John Rainey is president of LEAC and Mrs. Z. W. Meeks is executive secretary.
In 1960 Anderson College saw an enrollment of 433 day school students and 84 in night school. In 1959 the total enrollment was only 351. In addition to the student center and infirmary, an athletic field was completed in 1960.
The Anderson Independent, "Boy's Dormitory Next For Anderson College," Vol. 44 No. 93, January 1, 1961.
Anderson Youth To Play In Senior All State Band
Barry Draisen, Boys High senior and son of Mr. and Mrs. Hyman Draisen of 2204 Ridgewood Ave., Anderson, has been named to the South Carolina Senior All-State Band. Although Barry is the second Anderson bad student to be chosen for the honor (first Bitsy Ramseur), he is the first Senior to be included in the "select circle" of South Carolina's finest high school band musicians.
THE BOYS High Senior was chosen for his abilities as a Sousaphonist. Barry is also an accomplished violinist. He will be one of six sousaphonists in the All-State Band which numbers about 101 youthful musicians. Members of the outstanding band will meet for the first time the latter part of this month at Winthrop College, where they will appear in concert during the State Band Clinic. To be included in the All State Band, a student must appear before a panel of judges. Auditions were held during mid-December on the University of South Carolina campus.
The Anderson Independent, "Anderson Youth To Play In Senior All State Band," Vol. 44 No.96, January 4, 1961.
Central College, Wesleyan Pushing Drive Toward $335,000 Mark
CENTRAL- The development campaign for Central Wesleyan College is being renewed so that the goal of $335,000 may be reached as soon as possible. To date $283,000, which is 85 percent of the original quota has been pledged, college officials said.
The previous commitments have come from the following sources; churches $216,629.36, big gifts, $16,705.82, area, $24,807.00, faculty and students, $12,184.16, Alumni, $11,930.00, will bequest and annuities, $500.
THE NECESITY for the campaign arose from the movement of the school from a junior college with regional accreditation in the direction of an accredited senior college. The senior college program began with the fall of 1959 and resulted in an increase of 35 percent in enrollment for the present session. During the transition period of at least three years certain requirements must be met.
The Anderson Independent, "Central College, Wesleyan Pushing Drive Toward $335,000 Mark," Vol. 44 No. 107 January 15, 1961.
GOV. HOLLINGS, Skill Schools To Spur Industry-Lure Program
Governor Ernest F. Hollings said in Anderson last night that South Carolina's infant industrial training program will spur a four-year state campaign to land one-billion dollars of new industries. Speaking of a meeting of the Anderson Business and Professional Women's Club. Gov. Hollings declared that a prospective new industry prefers trained workers to a free plant site.
A tri-county school, one of about a dozen panned in the state in the industrial training program, is to be located near Pendleton. Gov. Hollings said the Anderson County legislative delegation "has been in the forefront in backing this program and should b commended on its far-sightedness." The governor said that foreign imports are damaging the American textile industry, resulting in some job losses in South Carolina. Development of new machinery and labor saving devices cause other job losses, the annual dropout average due to mechanization running about 5 percent a year, he said.
South Carolina landed $650-million of new industries last year, he reported, and moved ahead in the fields of education, agriculture, and business as well. During the year, he said 47,000 new jobs were created. The state needs to continue adding industries, he went on. "The way to get more money" to continue advancing in the field of education and to raise teachers' salaries is to get new industries, which provide more payrolls and more sales taxes to provide better education," he said.
The Anderson Independent, "Gov. Hollings, Skill Schools To Spur Industry-Lure Program," Vol. 45 No. 95 January 3, 1962.
2 Councilmen Go On Trial
SPARTANBUTG (AP) - The trial of two Spartanburg City councilmen on charges of accpting bribes opened here Wednesday amidst defense talk of a "police trap" and a disagreement over facts between two key state witnesses.
On trial are L. T. (Buck) Amick 50, and Shea West Thomas, 41. They are accused of accepting $5,000 each from Spartanburg real estate developer Adolphe Vermont Jr. to vote for continued city participation in the costs of subdivision developments. Vermont told of borrowing $10,000 from a local bank on a demand note at six percent interest to offer the councilmen while police, with the serial numbers noted waited nearby.
The two city officials were arrested with the money in their possession Dec. 6 in the parking lot of Spartanburg General Hospital by State Law Enforcement Division Chief J. P. Strom and other agents. Vermont further testified he had asked an acquaintance, Trevor M. Painter, to contact Amick and seek his support in voting for continued city aid in paying for roads and sewers of newly developed areas. He said Painter told him, "Why don't you go ahead and pay them of, that's what they're waiting for."
Painter on the other hand, testified that it was Vermont who suggested that money be offered. He quoted Vermont as saying that he would see if "some money will help change his (Amick's) mind." Painter a 47-year old operator of a drive-in and a supper club, said Amick at first emphatically refused to accept money. He quoted Amick as saying "he couldn't afford to accept a bribe and wouldn't have any part of it." Painter testified Vermont had authorized him to offer $1,000 which he upped to $2,000. He said Amick refused but called later to say $10,000 could swing the necessary votes with some help from Thomas.
Under cross examination, defense attorney Sam R. Watt asked Vermont if he authorized Painter to offer the $1,000. "I most certainly did not," Vermont shot back."We discussed the fact that Amick would take a payoff so I said let's just fell him out and see if it's true...but I never had any intention of offering a bribe."
Watt asked Vermont, "After you discussed the offer of a bribe and fond out these men wouldn't take it and could not otherwise be influenced, you set out to destroy them and their families didn't you?" Vermont replied, "That's incorrect." Watt asked Vermont if he knew "a trap had been set to catch these men." Vermont replied, "Yes sir."
The courtroom, with Judge William L. Rhodes Jr., of Hampton presiding, was packed to overflowing. Some 200 persons were seated for the tension-packed session, but several score were turned away. Judge Rhodes impounded the jury for the duration of the trial and gave orders that jurors should not be allowed to read newspapers, listen to the radio, or watch television.
The Anderson Independent, "2 Councilmen Go On Trial," Vol. 45 No. 96 January 4, 1962
Limbaugh Escapes Pen; Was Serving 18 Years
Tom H. Limbaugh, 32 who played a leading role in he famous "teddy bear" case in Anderson back in January, 1958, is back in the limelight again. This time he's on the loose an escapee from the State Penitentiary. Anderson police and Sheriff W. J. Erskine's men have been elerted that he may be headed this way.
LIMBAUGH made his get away along with another convict. Charles W. Stewart, by breaking through the roof of the prison laundry Monday night, then making his way across the roof of the prison chapel and down a drain pipe to the wall. On February 5, 1958, Limbaugh was sentenced by Special Judge Sam Watt to 18 years in the State Penitentiary for armed robbery of Richbourg Brothers' Super Market on Bleckley Street, of $7,000 in cash and $1,000 in checks on the night of December 14, 1957. His brother-in-law, Alvin Manning, 31 ws sentenced to two years on the same date as an accessory before the fact. Manning did not actually participate in the hold-up, but did assist Limbaugh dispose of the checks by burning them near Portman. He was also promised a part of the lot.
The case was solved on January 11, 1958, when Detective Chief Parker Clamp, Detectives J. C. Nix and Wade Martin and SLED Agent Harold Fortson raided the Limbaugh home, on Horseshoe Bend, and seized a teddy bear. Sewn up inside the teddy bear they found $2,090 n $5, $10, and $20 bills.
The Anderson Independent, "Limbaugh Escapes Pen; Was Serving 18 Years," Vol. 45 No. 116, January 24, 1962
Jury System Under Fire; Feb. Court Term Folds
Legality of another Anderson County Grand Jury was challenged Wednesday and the February term of General Sessions Court jolted to an abrupt halt. Attorney Ross Anderson, Jr. raised the issue, contending that the Anderson County Jury list does not contain names of two-thirds of the qualified male electors of the county as required by law.
After a hearing punctuated by Judge J. H. McFadden reprimanding Acting Clerk of Court Elias T. McGee, court was ordered recessed until Monday on motion of Solicitor John K. Grisso who said he needed time to study the situation. Acting Clerk McGee is an appointee of Gov. Ernest Hollings. He was named to serve pending trial of Clerk of Court E. L. Griffen was indicted by the 1961 grand jury on charges stemming from his duties as a member of the county jury commission.
After hearing arguments and counter-arguments on Anderson's challenge of the jury system, Judge McFadden recessed court until 2:30 o'clock in the afternoon "to give the county attorney tie to determine what records are required and who are needed in the court to testify." If Atty. Andersons contention regarding the jury box is sustained, then a move will be in order to throw out the present Grand Jury, the petit jury, and to quash all cases brought over form 1961.
The Anderson Independent, "Jury System Under Fire; Feb. Court Term Folds," Vol. 45, No. 132, February 8, 1962.
10 COUNTY BRIDGES WASHED OUT, Damage Is Heavy In Area
Weeks, even months, and a great expenditure of money will be required ro repair the damage done in the Anderson area by the rampaging waters Tuesday night and yesterday in the wake of the greatest downpour of rain for a six-hour period since Tuesday, Aug. 25, 1908. A heavy toll of bridges was taken. At least in Anderson County were washed away.
While roads and bridges bore the brunt of the damage, some residential areas in Anderson were hard hit. More that 20 Negro families were evacuated by boats from homes on Booker Street in Anderson.
The Anderson Independent, "10 COUNTY BRIDGES WASHED OUT, Damage Is Heavy In Area, " Vol. 46, No. 158, March 7, 1963.
$3 Million Spring Mill Addition Is Announced
Fort Mill (AP) - President Hugh Close of the Springs Cotton Mills announced Wednesday detailed plans for $3 million in addition to the company's grace finishing plant, near Lancaster. He said plans also call for installation of $4 million worth of new machinery in the plant.
Close said the finishing plant expansion program is needed "in order to handle the addition production from out Elliott and Frances plants, now under construction and in order to take care of new and more intricate finishes which we will be putting into our goods. Also it will make us more flexible and capable of making faster delivery cloth."
Work on the finishing plant project is to be completed before the end of 1963. The expansion includes a $2 million addtion to the finishing plant itself and a $1 million addition to the plant's warehouse.
The Anderson Independent, "$3 Million Spring Mill Addition Is Announced," Vol. 46 No.158, March 7, 1963.
Honeycutt Named Hanna High Head Coach
Stan Honeycutt, who won three Skyline Conference championships at Liberty High in Four years, is the new head football coach and athletic director at Hanna High School here.
Dr. Henry Cone, superintendent of School District Five, made the announcement yesterday. Honeycutt, a 31-year old native of Hamlet, N.C. succeeds Howard Bagwell who resigned his football duties last December. Hartley Coleman, who had served as athletic director in District Five for several years will now devote his full time as assistant superintendent and district-wide administrative duties.
Honeycutt, who graduated from Erskine College in 1956 and has since been coaching was in town yesterday afternoon. He said "I'm pleased at the opportunity. It took a lot of deep thought and consideration before I could make the decision. "I have enjoyed my stay at Liberty. The people were good to me and my family, but we felt this was a progressive move in my profession. I'm looking forward to meeting with the boys as soon as possible." In four years as head coach and athletic director at Liberty High, Honeycutt's teams won three championships in the tough Skyline Conference.
The Anderson Independent, "Honeycutt Named Hanna High Head Coach," Vol. 46, No. 159, May 5, 1963.
Thompson Arraigned in Slaying
Greenville- A Spartanburg man, William Allen Thompson, already serving a lifeterm for murder of a prominent Greenville interior decorator, is expected to appear in General Sessions Court here, Tuesday to Answer other charges. Thompson is serving life in the strangulation death of William O. Ballentine, whose body was found in his own station wagon in a remote part of Greenville County in February 1962.
The investigation showed that Ballentine died in the Thompson home in Spartanburg. In Greenville, Thompson was indicted on charges of burglary and assault and battery with intent to kill. These Charges relate to an entry into the Balentine home and an attack against Mrs. Balentine. These episodes occurred after the interior decorator had been fatally injured.
The Anderson Independent, "Thompson Arraigned in Slaying," Vol. 46 No. 219, May 7, 1963.
Control of Pickens Mill Acquired by Mayfair
Pickens- Control of Pickens Mill here has gone to Mayfair Mills of Arcadia, which has acquired 80 percent of the mills common stock. Mayfair president Frederick B. Dent announced Pickens Mill stock holders accepted Mayfair's offer to buy the stock. The offer was made several weeks ago.
Mayfair plans no changes in plant management of personnel, Dent said. He said Mayfair has long-range plans for further development of the mill. Dent praised the "fine business climate" and reservoir" of skilled, loyal personnel "found in Pickens County where Mayfair has a second plant.
Greenville News, "Control of Pickens Mill Acquired by Mayfair," 89th Year, No. 306, November 2, 1963.
Chesnee Doctor Allowed to Pay $500 Instead Serving 2-Year Term
Spartanburg- Dr. Thomas Ryan, Chesnee area physician, Wednesday was allowed to pay a $500 fine as an alternative to a two-year prison sentence imposed when he pleaded guilty to receiving stolen goods. Ryan paid the fine and was placed on two years probation. Dr. Ryan's wife, Mrs. Cladys Burgess Ryan, was placed on probation for three years.
The Ryans were charged with receiving several dresses taken from Butte Knitting Company Mill last October. Defense Atty. Sam Watt Contended that "we are pleading guilty only to receiving goods valued at more than $20...we do not admit that all the dresses (possibly 90) were taken to the Ryan home."
"The dresses were brought there in the night time. I'll have to admit that it looked suspicious but they (the Ryans) say they did not know they were stolen," Watt added.
Greenville News, "Chesnee Doctor Allowed to Pay $500 Instead Serving 2-Year Term," 90th Year, No. 114, April 23, 1964. County Cancer Crusade $14,696 Short of Goal
With 10 days to go, the Greenville County Cancer Crusade is $14,696 short of its goal of $20,000. Last year the Crusade raised $36,000, with half of it coming from the plants in the Greer area. The goal this year was lowered to $20,000 because the agencies in Greer had joined the Greenville County United Fund.
Donations thus far have come from the special gifts, memorials and lawyers divisions. The neighborhood division, which is expected to be the largest amount, has not been turned in yet. The last day for the campaign is April 30. Funds collected will go for cancer sufferers in Greenville County and to the national foundation for cancer research.
Greenville News, "County Cancer Crusade $14,696 Short of Goal," 90th Year, No.114, April 23, 1964.
Anderson Man Honored In N.Y., Washington
"We were graciously received as honored guests wherever we went," Wallace Martin, America's Worker-Father of the Year and an Anderson glass worker, said on his return from a week's tour of New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
The Father of a teenage son, Martin has been active in Boy Scout and church leadership activities for many years. He was nominated by his local chapter of the Glass Bottle Blowers Association and notified early last month that he had been chosen Worker-Father of the Year in connection with an annual Father's Day campaign.
The Anderson Independent, "Anderson Man Honored In N.Y., Washington," Vol. 47 No. 276, July 2, 1964.
Ex-Abberville Firemen Are Honored At Reunion
Abberville- Volunteers at the Fire Department gave a chicken supper in honor of the ex-members of the Department. Over 40 were present to enjoy chicken, potato salad, rolls, tea, ice cream, and pie. Ed Hawthorne and Judy Wilson were on the entertainment committee and made all the prepartions and arrangements.
The volunteers were organized in 1912 with nine members. Of that number only two are still living, namely Frank Sherard of Calhoun Falls and Jas H. Sherard of Abbevile.
The Anderson Independent, "Ex-Abbeville Firemen Are Honored At Reunion," Vol. 47 No. 277, July 3, 1964.
68 Cars of Southern Freight Train Derailed Near Greenville
68 smashed and battered cars of a 150-car North bound Southern Railway freight train tied up all railway traffic on the Southern's main line between Greenville and Atlanta in a massive two-part derailment near the Saluda River yesterday about 10:30 am.
The five diesel engines hauling the big train ended up in a precarious stance on the high trestle over the Saluda, one burning furiously, its smoke seen for five miles. Damaged in the forward pile up were cars carring 44 quarter-mile sections of welded track rail.
The accident occurred at the 250-foot Lake Hartwell trestle as the train sped through a fogy night. More than 1,000 feet of road bed was plowed up, more than $500,000 damage was done and traffic on the line was tied up from about midnight until late the next afternoon.
Greenville News, "68 Cars of Southern Freight Train Derailed Near Greenville," 91st Year, No. 152, June 1, 1965.
Southern To Close Down Railway Depot At Norris
Norris- After June 30, there will be no more railway or railway express service for the town of Norris. The S.C. Public Service Commission, acting on a petition from Southern Railway Co., has granted authority for the closing of the Southern Dept and the express service at Norris with the close of business June 30.
The order was handed down recently, following a public hearing before the commission May 20. Railroad representatives testfied that it had operated the Norris agency at a financial loss for the past two years. Records showed a deficit of $1,065 in 1963 and $1,553 in 1964.
Objections to the proposed closing were filed by town and county officials, however no testimony was offered at the hearing. After the closing, railroad business for the Norris area will be shifted to the Central station, where agent W. H. Gibby will be transferred.
The Easley Progress, " Southern To Close Down Railway Depot At Norris," Vol. 62 No. 49, June 9, 1965.
Trustees Discuss Racial Policy, Building Program
Pickens- The county`s school desegregation plan and building program were the chief topics for the School Board of Trustees Monday night, but both were discussed under the wraps of a close door session. Trustees held a brief open session, approving teacher changes and other routine mattes, before Board Chairman Reese Holladay called for the closed meeting to "discuss some other items."
Included in the later category were a report from Superintendent J. C. Durham on his visits to connection with the compliance policy, and a review of building construction bids with an engineering representative.
The scope of the desegregation plan has not been spelled out, but some 50 applications from Negroes to previously all-white schools were reported earlier. Under the compliance program for receiving federal funds, the County pledges to admit students to schools of their choice without racial consideration.
The Easley Progress, "Trustees Discuss Racial Policy," Vo. 62- No. 53, June 30, 1965.
Anderson Is Looking To Year Of Progress
Residents of the Anderson area today may look back on 1960 as one of its best years, and at the same time look forword to 1961 - confident of continued development and progress. On every hand there are signs pointing to new growth and new strides. The new year reached the Anderson area on a note of optimism. Businessmen generally forsee a good year of brisk trading. Any slack periods will be offset by extra activity in business at other times, they say.
The city government anticipates with eagerness the time when all annexation litigation has ended and its broad program begun to provide full city services. Fire sub stations are to be built over the city, police force enlarged hundreds of street lights furnished in annexed areas, more sewer lines laid, fire hydrants installed.
Annexation increased the size of the city from four to 22 square miles, population from 20,000 to over 43,000. The year will see completion of three major construction programs costing an aggregate of $10-million. Largest is the $5,500,000 addition to the Anderson Hospital. New Hanna High School will be put into use in September.
The $3,000,000 Clark - Schwebel Fiber Glass plant is soon to be completed and put into operation, employing 300 in the outset.
The Anderson Independent, "Anderson Is Looking To Year Of Progress," Vol. 44 No. 93, January 1, 1961.
Boy's Dormitory Next For Anderson College
A boy's Dormitory to be built at a cost of not more than $250,000 is foremost on the 1961 ladder of progress at Anderson College - an institution which saw completion of a $340,000 student center and a $30,000 infirmary in 1960.
APPROVAL from the State Baptist Convention came late in 1960 for the college to borrow up to $250,000 for the needed boy's housing facility. It will be located on the back campus, in the bend of Kingsley Road, behind a small house now used for boarding facilities for several boys.
The new year will also see an active drive by the Living Endowment of Anderson College - LEAC - in which funds will be raised between Jan. 1 and Feb. 10 for the betterment of the college. Dr. John Rainey is president of LEAC and Mrs. Z. W. Meeks is executive secretary.
In 1960 Anderson College saw an enrollment of 433 day school students and 84 in night school. In 1959 the total enrollment was only 351. In addition to the student center and infirmary, an athletic field was completed in 1960.
The Anderson Independent, "Boy's Dormitory Next For Anderson College," Vol. 44 No. 93, January 1, 1961.
Anderson Youth To Play In Senior All State Band
Barry Draisen, Boys High senior and son of Mr. and Mrs. Hyman Draisen of 2204 Ridgewood Ave., Anderson, has been named to the South Carolina Senior All-State Band. Although Barry is the second Anderson bad student to be chosen for the honor (first Bitsy Ramseur), he is the first Senior to be included in the "select circle" of South Carolina's finest high school band musicians.
THE BOYS High Senior was chosen for his abilities as a Sousaphonist. Barry is also an accomplished violinist. He will be one of six sousaphonists in the All-State Band which numbers about 101 youthful musicians. Members of the outstanding band will meet for the first time the latter part of this month at Winthrop College, where they will appear in concert during the State Band Clinic. To be included in the All State Band, a student must appear before a panel of judges. Auditions were held during mid-December on the University of South Carolina campus.
The Anderson Independent, "Anderson Youth To Play In Senior All State Band," Vol. 44 No.96, January 4, 1961.
Central College, Wesleyan Pushing Drive Toward $335,000 Mark
CENTRAL- The development campaign for Central Wesleyan College is being renewed so that the goal of $335,000 may be reached as soon as possible. To date $283,000, which is 85 percent of the original quota has been pledged, college officials said.
The previous commitments have come from the following sources; churches $216,629.36, big gifts, $16,705.82, area, $24,807.00, faculty and students, $12,184.16, Alumni, $11,930.00, will bequest and annuities, $500.
THE NECESITY for the campaign arose from the movement of the school from a junior college with regional accreditation in the direction of an accredited senior college. The senior college program began with the fall of 1959 and resulted in an increase of 35 percent in enrollment for the present session. During the transition period of at least three years certain requirements must be met.
The Anderson Independent, "Central College, Wesleyan Pushing Drive Toward $335,000 Mark," Vol. 44 No. 107 January 15, 1961.
GOV. HOLLINGS, Skill Schools To Spur Industry-Lure Program
Governor Ernest F. Hollings said in Anderson last night that South Carolina's infant industrial training program will spur a four-year state campaign to land one-billion dollars of new industries. Speaking of a meeting of the Anderson Business and Professional Women's Club. Gov. Hollings declared that a prospective new industry prefers trained workers to a free plant site.
A tri-county school, one of about a dozen panned in the state in the industrial training program, is to be located near Pendleton. Gov. Hollings said the Anderson County legislative delegation "has been in the forefront in backing this program and should b commended on its far-sightedness." The governor said that foreign imports are damaging the American textile industry, resulting in some job losses in South Carolina. Development of new machinery and labor saving devices cause other job losses, the annual dropout average due to mechanization running about 5 percent a year, he said.
South Carolina landed $650-million of new industries last year, he reported, and moved ahead in the fields of education, agriculture, and business as well. During the year, he said 47,000 new jobs were created. The state needs to continue adding industries, he went on. "The way to get more money" to continue advancing in the field of education and to raise teachers' salaries is to get new industries, which provide more payrolls and more sales taxes to provide better education," he said.
The Anderson Independent, "Gov. Hollings, Skill Schools To Spur Industry-Lure Program," Vol. 45 No. 95 January 3, 1962.
2 Councilmen Go On Trial
SPARTANBUTG (AP) - The trial of two Spartanburg City councilmen on charges of accpting bribes opened here Wednesday amidst defense talk of a "police trap" and a disagreement over facts between two key state witnesses.
On trial are L. T. (Buck) Amick 50, and Shea West Thomas, 41. They are accused of accepting $5,000 each from Spartanburg real estate developer Adolphe Vermont Jr. to vote for continued city participation in the costs of subdivision developments. Vermont told of borrowing $10,000 from a local bank on a demand note at six percent interest to offer the councilmen while police, with the serial numbers noted waited nearby.
The two city officials were arrested with the money in their possession Dec. 6 in the parking lot of Spartanburg General Hospital by State Law Enforcement Division Chief J. P. Strom and other agents. Vermont further testified he had asked an acquaintance, Trevor M. Painter, to contact Amick and seek his support in voting for continued city aid in paying for roads and sewers of newly developed areas. He said Painter told him, "Why don't you go ahead and pay them of, that's what they're waiting for."
Painter on the other hand, testified that it was Vermont who suggested that money be offered. He quoted Vermont as saying that he would see if "some money will help change his (Amick's) mind." Painter a 47-year old operator of a drive-in and a supper club, said Amick at first emphatically refused to accept money. He quoted Amick as saying "he couldn't afford to accept a bribe and wouldn't have any part of it." Painter testified Vermont had authorized him to offer $1,000 which he upped to $2,000. He said Amick refused but called later to say $10,000 could swing the necessary votes with some help from Thomas.
Under cross examination, defense attorney Sam R. Watt asked Vermont if he authorized Painter to offer the $1,000. "I most certainly did not," Vermont shot back."We discussed the fact that Amick would take a payoff so I said let's just fell him out and see if it's true...but I never had any intention of offering a bribe."
Watt asked Vermont, "After you discussed the offer of a bribe and fond out these men wouldn't take it and could not otherwise be influenced, you set out to destroy them and their families didn't you?" Vermont replied, "That's incorrect." Watt asked Vermont if he knew "a trap had been set to catch these men." Vermont replied, "Yes sir."
The courtroom, with Judge William L. Rhodes Jr., of Hampton presiding, was packed to overflowing. Some 200 persons were seated for the tension-packed session, but several score were turned away. Judge Rhodes impounded the jury for the duration of the trial and gave orders that jurors should not be allowed to read newspapers, listen to the radio, or watch television.
The Anderson Independent, "2 Councilmen Go On Trial," Vol. 45 No. 96 January 4, 1962
Limbaugh Escapes Pen; Was Serving 18 Years
Tom H. Limbaugh, 32 who played a leading role in he famous "teddy bear" case in Anderson back in January, 1958, is back in the limelight again. This time he's on the loose an escapee from the State Penitentiary. Anderson police and Sheriff W. J. Erskine's men have been elerted that he may be headed this way.
LIMBAUGH made his get away along with another convict. Charles W. Stewart, by breaking through the roof of the prison laundry Monday night, then making his way across the roof of the prison chapel and down a drain pipe to the wall. On February 5, 1958, Limbaugh was sentenced by Special Judge Sam Watt to 18 years in the State Penitentiary for armed robbery of Richbourg Brothers' Super Market on Bleckley Street, of $7,000 in cash and $1,000 in checks on the night of December 14, 1957. His brother-in-law, Alvin Manning, 31 ws sentenced to two years on the same date as an accessory before the fact. Manning did not actually participate in the hold-up, but did assist Limbaugh dispose of the checks by burning them near Portman. He was also promised a part of the lot.
The case was solved on January 11, 1958, when Detective Chief Parker Clamp, Detectives J. C. Nix and Wade Martin and SLED Agent Harold Fortson raided the Limbaugh home, on Horseshoe Bend, and seized a teddy bear. Sewn up inside the teddy bear they found $2,090 n $5, $10, and $20 bills.
The Anderson Independent, "Limbaugh Escapes Pen; Was Serving 18 Years," Vol. 45 No. 116, January 24, 1962
Jury System Under Fire; Feb. Court Term Folds
Legality of another Anderson County Grand Jury was challenged Wednesday and the February term of General Sessions Court jolted to an abrupt halt. Attorney Ross Anderson, Jr. raised the issue, contending that the Anderson County Jury list does not contain names of two-thirds of the qualified male electors of the county as required by law.
After a hearing punctuated by Judge J. H. McFadden reprimanding Acting Clerk of Court Elias T. McGee, court was ordered recessed until Monday on motion of Solicitor John K. Grisso who said he needed time to study the situation. Acting Clerk McGee is an appointee of Gov. Ernest Hollings. He was named to serve pending trial of Clerk of Court E. L. Griffen was indicted by the 1961 grand jury on charges stemming from his duties as a member of the county jury commission.
After hearing arguments and counter-arguments on Anderson's challenge of the jury system, Judge McFadden recessed court until 2:30 o'clock in the afternoon "to give the county attorney tie to determine what records are required and who are needed in the court to testify." If Atty. Andersons contention regarding the jury box is sustained, then a move will be in order to throw out the present Grand Jury, the petit jury, and to quash all cases brought over form 1961.
The Anderson Independent, "Jury System Under Fire; Feb. Court Term Folds," Vol. 45, No. 132, February 8, 1962.
10 COUNTY BRIDGES WASHED OUT, Damage Is Heavy In Area
Weeks, even months, and a great expenditure of money will be required ro repair the damage done in the Anderson area by the rampaging waters Tuesday night and yesterday in the wake of the greatest downpour of rain for a six-hour period since Tuesday, Aug. 25, 1908. A heavy toll of bridges was taken. At least in Anderson County were washed away.
While roads and bridges bore the brunt of the damage, some residential areas in Anderson were hard hit. More that 20 Negro families were evacuated by boats from homes on Booker Street in Anderson.
The Anderson Independent, "10 COUNTY BRIDGES WASHED OUT, Damage Is Heavy In Area, " Vol. 46, No. 158, March 7, 1963.
$3 Million Spring Mill Addition Is Announced
Fort Mill (AP) - President Hugh Close of the Springs Cotton Mills announced Wednesday detailed plans for $3 million in addition to the company's grace finishing plant, near Lancaster. He said plans also call for installation of $4 million worth of new machinery in the plant.
Close said the finishing plant expansion program is needed "in order to handle the addition production from out Elliott and Frances plants, now under construction and in order to take care of new and more intricate finishes which we will be putting into our goods. Also it will make us more flexible and capable of making faster delivery cloth."
Work on the finishing plant project is to be completed before the end of 1963. The expansion includes a $2 million addtion to the finishing plant itself and a $1 million addition to the plant's warehouse.
The Anderson Independent, "$3 Million Spring Mill Addition Is Announced," Vol. 46 No.158, March 7, 1963.
Honeycutt Named Hanna High Head Coach
Stan Honeycutt, who won three Skyline Conference championships at Liberty High in Four years, is the new head football coach and athletic director at Hanna High School here.
Dr. Henry Cone, superintendent of School District Five, made the announcement yesterday. Honeycutt, a 31-year old native of Hamlet, N.C. succeeds Howard Bagwell who resigned his football duties last December. Hartley Coleman, who had served as athletic director in District Five for several years will now devote his full time as assistant superintendent and district-wide administrative duties.
Honeycutt, who graduated from Erskine College in 1956 and has since been coaching was in town yesterday afternoon. He said "I'm pleased at the opportunity. It took a lot of deep thought and consideration before I could make the decision. "I have enjoyed my stay at Liberty. The people were good to me and my family, but we felt this was a progressive move in my profession. I'm looking forward to meeting with the boys as soon as possible." In four years as head coach and athletic director at Liberty High, Honeycutt's teams won three championships in the tough Skyline Conference.
The Anderson Independent, "Honeycutt Named Hanna High Head Coach," Vol. 46, No. 159, May 5, 1963.
Thompson Arraigned in Slaying
Greenville- A Spartanburg man, William Allen Thompson, already serving a lifeterm for murder of a prominent Greenville interior decorator, is expected to appear in General Sessions Court here, Tuesday to Answer other charges. Thompson is serving life in the strangulation death of William O. Ballentine, whose body was found in his own station wagon in a remote part of Greenville County in February 1962.
The investigation showed that Ballentine died in the Thompson home in Spartanburg. In Greenville, Thompson was indicted on charges of burglary and assault and battery with intent to kill. These Charges relate to an entry into the Balentine home and an attack against Mrs. Balentine. These episodes occurred after the interior decorator had been fatally injured.
The Anderson Independent, "Thompson Arraigned in Slaying," Vol. 46 No. 219, May 7, 1963.
Control of Pickens Mill Acquired by Mayfair
Pickens- Control of Pickens Mill here has gone to Mayfair Mills of Arcadia, which has acquired 80 percent of the mills common stock. Mayfair president Frederick B. Dent announced Pickens Mill stock holders accepted Mayfair's offer to buy the stock. The offer was made several weeks ago.
Mayfair plans no changes in plant management of personnel, Dent said. He said Mayfair has long-range plans for further development of the mill. Dent praised the "fine business climate" and reservoir" of skilled, loyal personnel "found in Pickens County where Mayfair has a second plant.
Greenville News, "Control of Pickens Mill Acquired by Mayfair," 89th Year, No. 306, November 2, 1963.
Chesnee Doctor Allowed to Pay $500 Instead Serving 2-Year Term
Spartanburg- Dr. Thomas Ryan, Chesnee area physician, Wednesday was allowed to pay a $500 fine as an alternative to a two-year prison sentence imposed when he pleaded guilty to receiving stolen goods. Ryan paid the fine and was placed on two years probation. Dr. Ryan's wife, Mrs. Cladys Burgess Ryan, was placed on probation for three years.
The Ryans were charged with receiving several dresses taken from Butte Knitting Company Mill last October. Defense Atty. Sam Watt Contended that "we are pleading guilty only to receiving goods valued at more than $20...we do not admit that all the dresses (possibly 90) were taken to the Ryan home."
"The dresses were brought there in the night time. I'll have to admit that it looked suspicious but they (the Ryans) say they did not know they were stolen," Watt added.
Greenville News, "Chesnee Doctor Allowed to Pay $500 Instead Serving 2-Year Term," 90th Year, No. 114, April 23, 1964.
County Cancer Crusade $14,696 Short of Goal
With 10 days to go, the Greenville County Cancer Crusade is $14,696 short of its goal of $20,000. Last year the Crusade raised $36,000, with half of it coming from the plants in the Greer area. The goal this year was lowered to $20,000 because the agencies in Greer had joined the Greenville County United Fund.
Donations thus far have come from the special gifts, memorials and lawyers divisions. The neighborhood division, which is expected to be the largest amount, has not been turned in yet. The last day for the campaign is April 30. Funds collected will go for cancer sufferers in Greenville County and to the national foundation for cancer research.
Greenville News, "County Cancer Crusade $14,696 Short of Goal," 90th Year, No.114, April 23, 1964.
Anderson Man Honored In N.Y., Washington
"We were graciously received as honored guests wherever we went," Wallace Martin, America's Worker-Father of the Year and an Anderson glass worker, said on his return from a week's tour of New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
The Father of a teenage son, Martin has been active in Boy Scout and church leadership activities for many years. He was nominated by his local chapter of the Glass Bottle Blowers Association and notified early last month that he had been chosen Worker-Father of the Year in connection with an annual Father's Day campaign.
The Anderson Independent, "Anderson Man Honored In N.Y., Washington," Vol. 47 No. 276, July 2, 1964.
Ex-Abberville Firemen Are Honored At Reunion
Abberville- Volunteers at the Fire Department gave a chicken supper in honor of the ex-members of the Department. Over 40 were present to enjoy chicken, potato salad, rolls, tea, ice cream, and pie. Ed Hawthorne and Judy Wilson were on the entertainment committee and made all the prepartions and arrangements.
The volunteers were organized in 1912 with nine members. Of that number only two are still living, namely Frank Sherard of Calhoun Falls and Jas H. Sherard of Abbevile.
The Anderson Independent, "Ex-Abbeville Firemen Are Honored At Reunion," Vol. 47 No. 277, July 3, 1964.
68 Cars of Southern Freight Train Derailed Near Greenville
68 smashed and battered cars of a 150-car North bound Southern Railway freight train tied up all railway traffic on the Southern's main line between Greenville and Atlanta in a massive two-part derailment near the Saluda River yesterday about 10:30 am.
The five diesel engines hauling the big train ended up in a precarious stance on the high trestle over the Saluda, one burning furiously, its smoke seen for five miles. Damaged in the forward pile up were cars carring 44 quarter-mile sections of welded track rail.
The accident occurred at the 250-foot Lake Hartwell trestle as the train sped through a fogy night. More than 1,000 feet of road bed was plowed up, more than $500,000 damage was done and traffic on the line was tied up from about midnight until late the next afternoon.
Greenville News, "68 Cars of Southern Freight Train Derailed Near Greenville," 91st Year, No. 152, June 1, 1965.
Southern To Close Down Railway Depot At Norris
Norris- After June 30, there will be no more railway or railway express service for the town of Norris. The S.C. Public Service Commission, acting on a petition from Southern Railway Co., has granted authority for the closing of the Southern Dept and the express service at Norris with the close of business June 30.
The order was handed down recently, following a public hearing before the commission May 20. Railroad representatives testfied that it had operated the Norris agency at a financial loss for the past two years. Records showed a deficit of $1,065 in 1963 and $1,553 in 1964.
Objections to the proposed closing were filed by town and county officials, however no testimony was offered at the hearing. After the closing, railroad business for the Norris area will be shifted to the Central station, where agent W. H. Gibby will be transferred.
The Easley Progress, " Southern To Close Down Railway Depot At Norris," Vol. 62 No. 49, June 9, 1965.
Trustees Discuss Racial Policy, Building Program
Pickens- The county`s school desegregation plan and building program were the chief topics for the School Board of Trustees Monday night, but both were discussed under the wraps of a close door session. Trustees held a brief open session, approving teacher changes and other routine mattes, before Board Chairman Reese Holladay called for the closed meeting to "discuss some other items."
Included in the later category were a report from Superintendent J. C. Durham on his visits to connection with the compliance policy, and a review of building construction bids with an engineering representative.
The scope of the desegregation plan has not been spelled out, but some 50 applications from Negroes to previously all-white schools were reported earlier. Under the compliance program for receiving federal funds, the County pledges to admit students to schools of their choice without racial consideration.
The Easley Progress, "Trustees Discuss Racial Policy," Vo. 62- No. 53, June 30, 1965.